Arsenal 2-0 Man Utd: Gunners Capitalize on Set-Pieces to Hand Amorim First Defeat

Key Highlights:

• Arsenal Triumph: Gunners claim a fourth consecutive win across all competitions.
• Set-Piece Prowess: Goals from Jurrien Timber and William Saliba seal the victory.
• Man Utd Resilient in Open Play: United defend well but struggle against Arsenal’s corners.

Match Recap

Arsenal dominated a rain-soaked contest at the Emirates Stadium, using their strength in set-pieces to secure a 2-0 win over Manchester United. The breakthrough came early in the second half when Jurrien Timber headed home from a corner. Another corner routine led to William Saliba doubling Arsenal’s lead.

Manchester United, under new head coach Ruben Amorim, defended admirably in open play, limiting Arsenal’s chances. However, they couldn’t contain the Gunners’ efficiency from dead-ball situations. United’s best moment came from Matthijs de Ligt’s header, which forced a spectacular save from Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya.

Player Ratings

Arsenal (4-3-3):

• David Raya (8.4): Delivered a world-class save to deny de Ligt and earned Player of the Match.
• Jurrien Timber (7.8): Scored the opener and was solid defensively.
• William Saliba (8.2): Sealed the victory with a second goal and performed well at the back.
• Declan Rice (8.4): Dominated midfield with his composure and control.
• Gabriel Martinelli (6.3): Struggled to make an impact before being substituted.

Manchester United (3-4-3):

• Andre Onana (7.8): Made crucial saves to keep United in the game.
• Matthijs de Ligt (6.4): Came close to scoring but struggled defensively against Arsenal’s set-pieces.
• Mason Mount (5.7): Failed to influence the game and was substituted early in the second half.
• Amad Diallo (6.9): Made a decent impact after coming on at halftime.

This win slightly narrows Liverpool’s lead at the top of the Premier League table to seven points. For United, it marks Ruben Amorim’s first defeat as head coach, highlighting areas for improvement, particularly in defending set-pieces.

Arsenal face Manchester City next in the Premier League, while Manchester United will look to bounce back in their upcoming fixture.

SOURCE: 90min.com